Have you ever signed a travel nursing contract, only to have it canceled just days or weeks before you were set to start? What happened? And what should you do now?
Travel nurses often find themselves in the frustrating position of having a contract canceled well after they’ve begun preparing for their assignment. Unfortunately, it happens more than anyone would like. In this article, we will look at some of the common causes of contract cancellations and explore the various options available to help ensure that it doesn’t happen again.
There are several truths that you need to be aware of if you want to prevent yourself from being caught up in a travel nurse contract cancellation. We will discuss these and how best to avoid them so that you can continue your travel career without disruption or contact travel nurse staffing from Gifted Healthcare.
What are some reasons a facility cancellation may happen?
It is important to know what steps to take when a facility reservation must be canceled, as well as the reasons why it might happen. To help you in this process, here are some of the most common reasons for facility cancellations and what steps you can take in each case:
1. Unexpected Emergency – If an unexpected emergency arises that requires the space to be reserved, such as an urgent meeting or a medical emergency, then the facility cancellation may have been necessary. In some cases, if enough advance notice is given, then the cancellation fee can be waived. It is best to contact the facility manager before attempting a cancellation due to an emergency to avoid any fees.
2. Unforeseen Circumstances – These can include things like bad weather or unanticipated construction that makes accessing the facility difficult or impossible. In these cases, it may be possible to reschedule without penalty if possible and within reason.
3. Double Booking – Double booking often occurs unintentionally due to poor communication or inadequate record keeping on behalf of either party involved with reservations at a facility. When this happens, make sure to contact both parties involved so that alternate arrangements can be made for one of them.
4. Insufficient Payment – Canceling a reservation due to lack of payment is generally considered acceptable and there should not be any penalty associated with it unless stipulated in the initial agreement between you and the company managing the facility reservations. However, make sure all payments are received in full before canceling your reservation as any unpaid balances will still need to be addressed separately from your cancellation request.
5. Late Bookings – If someone approaches you after your reservation period has already started, they may still ask for access to your reserved area even though it is too late for them to book it officially through proper channels such as online booking systems or telephone reservations. Although inconvenience this may cause cannot always be avoided completely, try negotiating an alternative solution whenever possible instead of simply canceling your reservation outright.
What are some valid reasons a traveler might give when canceling a travel nurse contract?
Compassionate Leave
Sometimes nurses need to cancel a contract due to compassionate leave for family or friends. Such needs could include caring for a loved one, attending a funeral, or reacting to an emergency situation at home like an illness or injury. In these situations, nurses should always document why they need the leave of absence, as well as when and how long they will be away from their job.
Job Finds Another Interested Party
Travelers are not obligated to remain with one company if another party expresses interest in them for employment purposes. If another employer offers you more work or pays more money, it is valid to cancel your travel nurse contract with the initial employer and transfer your services elsewhere.
Unrealistic Expectations
When employers issue contracts with unrealistic expectations that create an unsafe working environment or disrupt normal lifestyle routines, skilled travelers have good cause to back out of their assignment without penalty from the hiring agency. This includes unreasonable requests like too-short breaks between shifts or excessive mandatory overtime hours that can interfere with carpooling arrangements or other parts of life that require regularity of schedule.
Dissatisfaction With Accommodating Services
Should accommodations fail to meet basic safety standards (such as insecure doors), this constitutes grounds for cancellation of terms prior to the official term beginning by reason of dissatisfaction with accommodations provided by the nursing agency as part of an agreement between parties. Additionally, facilities should prove themselves able to discuss any adjustments that may be necessary upon arrival; failure on behalf of the provider could indicate a potential violation of the agreement between parties and require travel nurses’ ability to legally absolve themselves from obligations placed on them under stipulations created.
What are some bad excuses a traveler might give when canceling a travel nurse contract?
Some bad excuses travelers might give when canceling a travel nurse contract include taking another job closer to home, feeling unprepared for the assignment, having an illness or medical issue that prevents them from completing the assignment, or wanting to go back to their original full-time job. Regardless of the excuse, none are really valid reasons to request termination from a contract. When signing any contract, it is important for travelers to honor and abide by all stated terms and conditions. Canceling without sufficient cause may lead to legal action and a potentially damaged reputation in the industry.
Travel Nurse contract cancellations are not uncommon, and it’s important for potential travel nurses to be aware of this before deciding to become one. Cancellations can occur for a variety of reasons, often due to unforeseen circumstances, such as hospital policies or budgeting changes. It’s understandable that cancellations can be inconvenient and disheartening, but proper preparation and knowing your rights are key to ensuring you remain informed and comfortable with any decision made by the recruiter or facility. Knowing the truth about travel nurse contract cancellations is essential in order to make an informed decision prior to pursuing this profession.
